Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has delivered mixed news on the injury front for Sunday’s trip to Newcastle United.
In-form January signing Philippe Coutinho will be fit for Villa, however Emi Buendia is a doubt after picking up a heavy knock to his hip in Wednesday’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United.
The South American duo both limped off in the second half against the Whites, with Buendia replaced just before the hour mark by Carney Chukwuemeka and Coutinho withdrawn 12 minutes from time by Ashley Young due to cramp.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Gerrard said: "Phil Coutinho's fine. He got a bit of cramp in a few different areas, and he tired a lot – he gave a lot to the game. In terms of being available for Newcastle, I’m sure he’ll be fine with a couple of recovery days.
"Emi Buendia's slightly different because he has had some contact, he had a big whack in his hip area which is really sore. He’s certainly a big doubt right now, but we’re hoping with some treatment and some good recovery days that maybe he’s got an outside chance.
"At the moment, he’s a serious doubt."
Gerrard added that Bertrand Traore has picked up a hamstring injury and will be out for a few weeks, while Leon Bailey is nearing a return.
Ahead of the former Liverpool midfielder’s first managerial meeting with Newcastle, he was full of praise for the work they managed to complete in the January transfer window.
That, alongside the work Eddie Howe has done since his appointment, means Gerrard is expecting an extremely tough test.
He said: "They’ve come through a transfer window and made some real good additions to what they already had. They’ve got some dangerous players, Eddie’s got a good style and we go there giving them the utmost respect.
"Every team and every challenge in the Premier League is tough, difficult and dangerous in different ways, so we have to respect that and prepare in the best possible way."
